Detroit deputy mayor to leave position for private sector

Feb. 20, 2013

Kirk Lewis / MANDI WRIGHT/Detroit Free Press

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Another top administrator is leaving Mayor Dave Bing's administration, this time his deputy mayor, Kirk Lewis.

Bing's office said Lewis was returning to the private sector but did not name a specific job.

Lewis was named deputy mayor in March, just before the city entered into a financial stability agreement with the state designed to avert appointment of an emergency manager. Bing, hospitalized at the time for a perforated colon, relied heavily on Lewis in negotiations with the state.

Bing's tenure has been marked by firings and defections of top talent, and Bing has acknowledged a difficulty in attracting and keeping administrators. Bing's spokesman Robert Warfield said Lewis' departure is unrelated to the state's financial review team report Tuesday that concluded a financial emergency exists and the city has no viable plan to correct it.

Lewis made headlines in 2011 after he made a bid to replace Robert Bobb as emergency manager of the Detroit Public Schools, a move that angered Bing and led to a public falling out between the two. Lewis resigned in March 2011.

That dispute was eventually mended, and Bing brought Lewis back as his chief of staff. Lewis worked for Bing at his former auto supply company, at one point rising to be president of the Bing Group.

The two remained close for years, even being doubles partners in tennis.

"It has been a special opportunity to perform public service, and hopefully I have been able to contribute to the mayor's transformation of Detroit," Lewis said in a statement released by Bing's office. "However, my background and strengths are in the automotive industry and therefore I'm looking forward to returning."

Bing called Lewis "an important part of my business career, as well as my tenure as mayor, and he has served well in both capacities."